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Member since 4/25/04
Posts: 611
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Posted on: 3/5/09 6:28 PM ET
For those of you who do hot fix crystals on the skating costumes, what do you do if they come off? We put hot fix on the dance costumes but when the coach applied hers she just picked up the crystal and immediately put it on the costume. I told her she needed to hold it till the bottom bubbled but she kept doing it so I just gave up. Well, several have come off and I need to glue some on my daughters costume. What type of glue should I use? You can see the residue from the hot fix that came off. Thanks,
Janet
  
Member since 7/28/03
Posts: 1405
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Posted on: 3/5/09 6:36 PM ET
In reply to Jannie
When my daughter skated, I used Aleene's Flexible Stretchable Fabric Glue. I stopped using the hot fix crystals because I could never make them stay properly. Another advantage to the Aleene's glue is that it is washable. After competing a couple of times, those costumes got pretty gym-smelling - especially when she reached higher difficulty levels.

HTH
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Suo ergo maledicto

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
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Posted on: 3/5/09 7:06 PM ET
There is another vote for Aleene's Here as well as E6000, which I have seen suggested other places. I haven't bought any crystals yet, may ballroom gown is basted together and ready to sew, I think. But I may be able to wear it jewel-less for a lower level competition later this year, so I may wait. DH has been dying to compete, but now I have said that we can and he has to put out some cash for a tail suit, he is getting a little nervous!
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 4/8/08
Posts: 10077
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Posted on: 3/5/09 8:02 PM ET
As someone who glues a lot of crystals on stretch fabrics, I am a firm believer in Aleene's Jewel-It Glue. You can set out 10 or 20 dots of glue and then apply the crystals. I have been very, very happy with the results.

I have tried hot-fix and don't like them. I've also tried E6000 and while it works well I have to do it in a very well ventilated space which isn't really possible in the middle of a Winnipeg winter.

A few tips:

* if you are gluing crystals on areas that are going to be stretched (i.e. the body of a skating dress), the fabric should be stretched when you are gluing and should stay stretch until the glue has set (minimum of 24 hours -- I try for 48 hours).

* if gluing on chiffon or stretch mesh or other lightweight/sheer fabrics, be sure to put something behind it or you will glue to whatever is underneath (I use wax paper). Also important if you are putting crystals on only the top layer of a multi-layer skirt as you don't want the skirt layers to stick together.

* when working with small crystals a craft syringe comes in real handy for dispensing the glue.

* if I'm doing both the front and back of a dress or posing suit I will do one side and then let it sit for at least a couple of hours before turning it over to do the other side.

* I work on a flat horizontal surface -- I find it too hard to work with the item hanging up (but that's just me).


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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)

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Member since 7/28/03
Posts: 1405
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Posted on: 3/5/09 11:05 PM ET
In reply to SheBear0320
Thanks for chiming in! I know that skating/athletic wear is your business, so I was hoping a 'pro' would give her opinion!
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Suo ergo maledicto

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs
  
Member since 4/8/08
Posts: 10077
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Posted on: 3/6/09 1:06 AM ET
In reply to Luckylibbet
I don't get a lot of time to read and post but I try to keep an eye out for the threads that pertain to lycras/spandex and athletic apparel to see if I can lend a hand.


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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)

2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 5885
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Posted on: 3/12/09 0:17 AM ET
In reply to SheBear0320
Quote: SheBear0320
As someone who glues a lot of crystals on stretch fabrics, I am a firm believer in Aleene's Jewel-It Glue. You can set out 10 or 20 dots of glue and then apply the crystals. I have been very, very happy with the results.



I have tried hot-fix and don't like them.

A few tips:




That's exactly how I do it.
The only different is I take a piece of cardboard and cover it with tin foil, and put it inside the costume or under the skirt to keep things from sticking.
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
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Posted on: 4/26/09 1:54 PM ET
Too much or too little glue? I have my crystals and have started the bejeweling process The instructions on the Alene's say to let the glue ooze up around the sides of the crystal. Should there be enough so that it oozes around all the sides of the crystal, making a little crystal/glue nest? Or is just having it ooze out the side a bit enough?

And thanks again for all the good advice here. I found answers to a lot of my questions before I even knew I had questions.

ETA - Oh - seams! Should I try to avoid putting crystals on seams? Or do they just need an extra glop of glue?
-- Edited on 4/26/09 1:57 PM --
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 11/30/04
Posts: 6459
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Posted on: 4/26/09 5:08 PM ET
I don't know if it's not adhering (hot-fix) because of the type of fabric, but I will say that the hot-fix crystals I get from Sue's Sparklers really hold up. In fact, picking them off is really, really difficult.
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Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!)
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing: Elna 760, vintage Kenmore Model 33 (1967), Janome Gem Gold 3, Singer Model 99, Singer 221/Featherweight, Bernina 1630. Sergers: Babylock Enlighten and Babylock Ovation. Embroidery Only: Janome 300E. Embroidery/Sewing Combo: Brother Dream machine. Straight Stitch: Janome 1600P.
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Blog: 21stcenturydiy.blogspot.com
  
Member since 4/23/04
Posts: 1383
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Posted on: 4/26/09 8:44 PM ET
Hi I glue crystals on shirts made from lycra for the western show ring...I use Beacon Hills GemTac or Aleens Jewel It...I put enough on so the glue comes up a little around the crystal so the foil backing and the actual crystal are grabbed by it. It looks white when it goes on but dries clear. I have had very few come off and I even wash my shirts in the machine on the delicate cycle. I have never had luck with the hot fix ones some always seem to pop off. If you use E6000 have a lot of ventilation it is strong but it smells too.
  
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